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5.01 Populations and samples

Worksheet
Population or sample
1

State whether the following statements are true or false:

a

Statistics refers to collection of data on the population of a state or country.

b

A sample is the entire group being considered in a statistical analysis.

c

A population is a selection of some of the sample.

d

In a sample survey, information is obtained from the entire population.

e

A census of population is conducted to collect information important for future planning.

f

The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts a census once every ten years.

g

While collecting statistical data, issues of privacy and ethics must be considered.

2

State whether the following is an instance of a sample or a census:

a

A random selection of some people at a mall.

b

A stocktake of all the goods in store.

c

A crash test of new cars just manufactured by a factory.

d

Asking all the teachers at your school whether they approve of a new class timetable.

e

An election to decide the premier of Queensland.

f

Asking a random selection of students in your class whether they approve of the teacher.

g

A taste test of a large batch of cookies you have just baked.

h

A body scan of randomly selected passengers at Melbourne International Airport.

3

State whether a sample or a census would be more suitable for determining the following:

a

The number of ambulances in Australia.

b

The number of people watching Stranger Things.

c

The average number of letters in the surnames of teachers at your school.

d

The number of smokers in South Australia.

e

The average commuting time of teachers at your school.

f

The average height of men in Spain.

g

The number of traffic lights in the suburb you live in.

h

The most popular candidate in an election.

4

For each of the following samples, give an example of a population that the sample could have been chosen from:

a

A sample containing 50 people who drive white cars.

b

A sample of 50 people drawn from a population. In this sample, the youngest is 18 years old, and the oldest is 64.

c

A sample containing the first 50 people to enter a train station on a given day.

5

For each of the following populations, give an example of a possible group of people that could make up a sample of the population.

The population is:

a

All the students that attend the local high school.

b

All people aged under 18, who live in Sydney.

c

All people in a city who play in any organised sporting competition.

d

All people who own a pet dog.

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Outcomes

ACMEM128

investigate the advantages and disadvantages of conducting a census

ACMEM129

understand the purpose of sampling to provide an estimate of population values when a census is not used

ACMEM132

identify the target population to be surveyed

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